Cabinet backs offensive against al-Shabaab

Cabinet has supported the actions of the Kenya military to battle Somalia militia al-Shabaab Tuesday.

It also condoled the family of five military personnel, who died in a helicopter crash at Liboi on Sunday.

"The Cabinet that met today (Tuesday) at State House, Nairobi, also supported and commended the actions taken by members of the Kenya Defence Forces and other security forces in the offensive against the Al-Shabaab," said a statement from the Presidential Press Service.

Cabinet also assured the military of its and Kenyans' support as they "as they undertook the important duty of securing the Kenyan nation".

The Cabinet also noted that the five soldiers "had lost their lives in the line of duty, undertaking the noble duty of defending the nation" and prayed to God to give their family strength.

The meeting was held on the day when Kenya sent Foreign minister Moses Wetangula and his Defence counterpart Yusuf Haji to the Somalia capital Mogadishu to brief President Sheikh Sharif Sheik Ahmed on the country's military engagement in the war torn nation.

At the same time, the Cabinet directed Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo to launch a public drive to educate Kenyans on a Bill seeking to amend the 2012 polls date.

The directive came after it approved the tabling in Parliament of an "improved version of the Constitution Amendment Bill 2011".